Nature centered Paganism gives people religious reasons for building stronger connections to the Natural world and for changing their lives in ways that will limit further environmental damage. Self centered Paganism gives people tools for dealing with difficult situations and for confronting unhelpful and unjust institutions. Community centered Paganism builds networks of mutual support which will be critical if – when – today’s structures fail. And Deity centered Paganism calls on the wisdom and power of beings far older and wiser than us.
--John Beckett, "The Pagan World in 2064"
Pagans of the future will need to develop institutions that do more than welcome diversity—they will need to harness diversity into collective work that meaningfully binds individuals into community. Since Pagans’ practices are so diverse, they often can only gather into large groups for worship by creating ritual that is relatively generic. Worship cannot be at the heart of a Pagan community center the way it is at a church. The shared work of Pagan institutions must concretely benefit Pagans from a variety of traditions, whether that means focusing on social justice projects such as hunger or homelessness; building Pagan-owned businesses on a cooperative model; providing networking or shared space for Pagan-specific goods and services; or creating Pagan homeschooling collectives. Pagans will financially support Pagan institutions only when those institutions allow individuals to express their religious values in more areas of their lives.
--Christine Hoff Kraemer, "The Future of Contemporary Paganism: Holding Paradox"
Many of the responses were thoughtful and inspiring, but I think Beckett and Kraemer had the most to say in terms of how the vision(s) at the heart of paganism might play out in practical ways. And if you aren't reading their respective blogs -- Under the Oaks and Sermons from the Mound -- then you're really missing out on some of the best pagan thought happening right now.
(Speaking of practical concerns, please note that our calendar has been updated to reflect the new, earlier time for the Festival of Legends open Earth Day ritual -- in order to help the festival staff accommodate their musical acts, we've moved from noon to BRIGHT AND EARLY Sunday morning at 10:30. Be sure to come in time for the ritual, then stay for the shows!)